Pharma Grade Oleic Acid USP from China
High-purity oleic acid meeting USP standards for pharmaceutical applications like tablet coatings and as an excipient in soft gels. Falls under HTS 3823.12.00.00 because it is chemically oleic acid, regardless of end-use purity, distinguished from food or cosmetic grades by documentation. Industrial classification prevails over pharma-specific headings.
Duty Rate — China → United States
23.2%
Rate breakdown
9903.88.157.5%Except as provided in headings 9903.88.39, 9903.88.42, 9903.88.44, 9903.88.47, 9903.88.49, 9903.88.51, 9903.88.53, 9903.88.55, 9903.88.57, 9903.88.65, 9903.88.66, 9903.88.67, 9903.88.68, or 9903.88.69, articles the product of China, as provided for in U.S. note 20(r) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(s)
9903.05.3112.5%Section 301 (forced labor) — additional 12.5% ad valorem on products of China
Import Tips
• Include USP certificate and intended pharma use declaration, but note CBP classifies by chemical identity first
• Ensure FDA registration for pharma imports; mislabeling as cosmetic can trigger reclassification